SITKA - A new online bike forum has been created so Sitka residents can discuss ways to help Sitka earn a Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Cyclists. A Bicycle Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation, recreation and physical activity.

The Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community Web site can be found at http://www.sitkaaoc.org (click on the "Bicycle Friendly Community, Sitka" logo). The site describes the project and what's needed to make it successful. On the left side of the page is a link to the Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community online forum/bulletin board. Sitka residents are encouraged to register for the forum so they can take part in the project. The forum provides an opportunity to post concerns and discuss issues about cycling in Sitka. Most important, it provides anyone in Sitka the opportunity to take action by helping answer questions on the Bicycle Friendly Community application. Even better, it provides Sitka residents with an opportunity to volunteer or to take other action that can help make Sitka an even more bicycle-friendly place to live.

Becoming the first Alaska community to earn the Bicycle Friendly designation is one of the four community projects identified as the top priorities during April's Sitka Health Summit. The other projects are to plan and build a community wellness/fitness center and to bring more opportunities for better nutrition in local schools.